Mid-December has arrived, and with that comes the inevitable flood of best-of lists. The Washington Area Film Critics’ Association has, for the previous five years of its existence, been in the habit of trying to get their own list out ahead of most of the other critics’ societies. We can’t really blame them. Considering the fact that none of the critics from the city’s biggest newspaper are members, not to mention the fact that the…
>> The Shakespeare Theatre Company has started a special program, called 20/10, that offers people aged 35 and under discounted tickets for their performances. The program launches tonight, with a special performance of Christopher Marlowe’s Tamburlaine where all of the tickets will be $10 for the under 35 crowd, and they’re promising a DJ, drink specials and door prizes for those who take advantage. Call the box office at (202) 547-1122 for details. >>…
Katharine Hepburn, one of the most iconic actresses of the 20th century, is the latest person to be featured in the National Portrait Gallery’s “One Life” gallery. Kate: A Centennial Celebration, which opened today, presents a multi-media approach to Hepburn’s life — photographs, video clips, her four Best Actress Oscar statuettes, a Brooks Brothers red turtleneck sweater, and a studio contract are all on display. The four statuettes, which Hepburn won for Morning Glory, Guess…
Pedro Almodóvar’s latest film, Volver, was screened in a few suburban locations last month, but it has just opened on two screens at the E Street Cinema. Fans of the legendary Spanish director do not need a review to tell them to see this film. However, those who do not know Almodóvar’s work, or who have had a bad experience with it, should give this excellent movie a chance. It has all of the positive…
It must be hard out there for a Washington film critic. You’ve got big-city cinema dreams, but you’re stuck in a town where politics is usually the order of the day. The number of people who turn to you as the last word in quality filmmaking is probably frustratingly small considering the size of the media market you’re working in. So what are our humble D.C. area film critics to do? Well, as we’ve noted…
What if you could live forever? It’s an intriguing question that many filmmakers have attempted to address over the years. Just don’t ask it of Darren Aronofsky, writer/director of the upcoming sci-fi love story, The Fountain. He hates taglines — such as this one for his movie — that narrow the focus of and discourage individual thought on the meaning of his work. Last Tuesday, the man behind the psychological brain bender, Pi, and the…
We suppose the awards season has officially begun when the ‘Best Of’ lists start arriving in our mailbox, though it certainly feels like the Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association has managed to get theirs out at a conspicuously early time each year since it began giving awards in 2002. Maybe they’re just trying to be the first out of the gate, and thus guaranteeing themselves a little ink in the inevitable pre-Oscar roundups. Or…
Bright and early this morning the 57th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards nominations were announced. Like the red-headed stepchild of the Oscars, the Emmys are a chance for Hollywood’s lesser starlets and stars to participate in their own self congratulatory fest. ABC’s campy but fun Desperate Housewives leads this year with 15 nominations. Viewers can look forward to a three way cat-fight between housewives Marcia Cross, Teri Hatcher, and Felicity Huffman for Best Actress in a…
